A researcher from the Institute of Neurosciences of the Miguel Hernández University, has participated as co-author of a study that concludes that 'sunscreen creams do not fully protect against the development of skin cancer' (not even when we talk about a factor 50).
The research has just been published in Nature, and it is explained that although using sunscreen creams protects against immediate radiation damage such as sunburn, radiation can still penetrate the skin, and damage the cells' DNA.
Therefore the risk of cancer persists, although I imagine that to a lesser extent than when we get under the sun without protection
The work has been developed in collaboration with the Higher Council for Scientific Research, and is an animal research. It seems that the p53 gene is a genome guardian, with a key role in detecting and eliminating accumulated damage to cells such as those produced by ultraviolet light. But this same light can cause mutations in the DEN of melanocytes of said gene.
This could perhaps explain the molecular mechanism that causes a increased risk of getting melanoma associated with sun exposure.
Berta López Sánchez - Laorden, has participated in the study as part of one of the projects developed during her first postdoctoral degree in the United Kingdom.
As we have already mentioned, there are several ways to protect ourselves against skin cancer, in addition to sunscreen factor creams, we never tire of warning that even with a high factor, it is not convenient to expose ourselves in the central hours of the day; and that we can do other things for the health of our skin, such as wearing clothes (better with protection), caps and umbrellas.
And of course take into account the restrictions according to the age of the children: do not expose children under 6 months, use a minimum protection factor of 30 to three years, and a minimum of 15 from that age. Nor should we neglect older children, because their skin remains vulnerable.
In Peques and More | Skin cancer prevention is in your hands, Change your eating habits to improve skin tolerance to the sun, do we use sunscreen well?
